Pegged target



Jam 26 1.960 J. H. SHEPHERD 2,922,650

PEGGED TARGET Filed Aug. 14, 1957 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH H. SHEPHERD wa m ATTORNEY United States Patent PEGGED TARGET Joseph H. Shepherd, St. Louis, Mo.

Application August 14, 1957, Serial No. 678,098

5 Claims. (Cl. 273104) This invention relates in general to entertainment and diversion devices and, more particularly, to a game of the type broadly resembling quoits. This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application, Serial No. 459,467, filed September 30, 1954, for Quoit Projectile, which has matured into Letters Patent No. 2,809,837, issued October 15, 1957.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a game incorporating a unique target structure for receiving cast playing pieces of novel construction, which game requires the development of skill for successful playing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game which incorporates a triple-stake target and a basically triangular playing piece, the sides of which are inwardly curved to present a reduced central opening adequate for embracing all of the target stakes within limited tolerance, and which playing piece necessitates proficient handling for scoring because of the unusual relationship between the same and the target.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game which may be conveniently played indoors or outdoors;

which will permit the participation of a varying number of players; and which comprises economically manufactured and durable components.

'With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, ar-

rangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a perspective view of a game constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention, illustrating the game components in position for playing.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the target.

Figure 3 is a side view of the target showing a playing piece engaged thereon; and

Figure 4 is a top plan view in partial section of the playing piece.

Figure 5 is a side view of another form of target constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the form of target shown in Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a game which comprises a playing piece A and a target B. Playing piece A is of symmetrical design being of triangular character and having three equal length sides 1, formed preferably of any suitable material, such as half-round wood stock. Each side 1 is bowed or arcuated about a like radius, with the curve extending inwardly whereby the outwardly presented face of each side 1 is concave. In each of its end portions, each side 1 is in surface abutting relationship with the adjacent sides 1 on its inner face to provide three similar handle portions 2. There will be defined by the central inwardly projecting portions of sides 1 a generally triangular opening 3 having corresponding concave sides and being increasingly restricted in its corner portions. The handle-forming cooperating 2 ends of adjacent sides 1 are held in tight, mutual securement by suitable means, such as an encasing sleeve memher 4, or by tape, wire or like retaining expedients. Disposed upon the end extremities of handles 2 is a resilient cap .5 with a rounded, outer end or head.

Target B comprises three spaced, vertically presented, axially parallel, equidistant stakes or pegs 6 having at their upper ends enlarged spherical portions 7. Triple stakes 6 are provided with a tripodal standard formed of legs 8 which are of general V-shape, each being integral at one end with a stake 6 and rigid, as by welding, at its other end with the adjacent stake 6, as at 9. Target B may be readily formed from preferably metallic rod stock by three sections of equal length, each of which is bent to provide a stake-forming portion and a V-shaped leg 8.

As may best be seen in Figure 2, each leg 8 extends outwardly beyond the plane formed by the two related stakes 6 so that a firm support is provided which will maintain target B in'pre-selected game position. The area defined by the triple stakes6 is slightly less than the area of opening 3 of playing piece A so that if properly directed the latter may ring all of said stakes. The divergence of legs 8 is of sufiicient inclination to support a playing piece 'A at their upper end should the same entrap all stakes 6.

(See Figure 3.)

If it is desired to locate target B upon a reasonably smooth surface such as marble, polished wood, and the like, friction pads, as indicated at 10, may be mounted at the lower end or crotch of each leg 8. When the game is to be played outdoors, spike-like elements may be afiixed to legs 8 for anchoring target B in the ground.

In the use of the present game for two players a pair of targets B are spaced apart a pre-determined distance, in the order of ten feet or so. Each player, in turn, will, standing adjacent one of the targets B, attempt to engage the playing pieces A upon the other target B, in a fundamentally similar manner as in quoits. For pitching playing pieces A, one handle portion 2 is gripped in the players hand whereby the playing piece will be initially presented with the base portion of its triangle to the particular object target B (see Figure 1). Targets B are dis posed with one stake 6 forwardly so thatthe base of the triangle defined by the set of stakes 6 is rearwardly. Playing pieces A may be cast in any desired manner for ringing or entrapping as many of the stakes 6 as possible. The engagement of all three stakes 6 would result in a maximum score for the particular pitch. However, due to the particular construction of playing pieces A and of the mutual relationship of stakes 6 only one or two of the stakes 6 might be engaged with a proportionately lower score resulting.

The unique and novel construction of playing pieces A make the accurate pitching attainable only by the development of requisite skill. The triangular nature of said playing pieces A causes peculiar flight characteristics which must be carefully studied and allowance therefor made. With the projecting handles 2, a smooth spinning action cannot be obtained as with an annular or U- shaped projectile. Furthermore, the relative constriction of opening 3 and the area relationship of same to that defined by stakes 6 of each target B permits of a most narrow margin of error. Such is clearly distinguishable from the games of horseshoes and quoits wherein the cross section of the central open portions of the missiles therein used exceeds considerably that of the target-peg. Additionally, the open end of horseshoes permits of ringing the peg by sliding of the shoes after the same has struck the ground. Playing pieces A are well balanced and easily gripped by any one of the three handles 2. The particular technique utilized by any player in pitching pieces A will depend primarily upon preference, al-

though a lobbing toss, with relatively high trajectory,

has proved reliably effective.

Wlth two players utilizing a pair of targets B, each player would be entitled to twotosses of playing, pieces A for each turn. 5 Should more than two players be engaged in this game, additional targets B may be provided so that one group of players may. pitch toward one-target While a second group may be engaged in casting atanother. In this'manner three targets B could be spotted ;in triangular relation or four targets might be arranged 'ina "square formation.

Thus, the game of this invention is one-of skill; one

which can be readily adapted for accommodating varying numbers of players; and one which ishighly interesting and entertaining. The componentpartsof this game are economicallymanufactured and not subject to breakage,

being quite durable and sturdy.

If desired, another-form of target shown at C in the drawings may be provided, which comprises three spaced apart, mutually equidistant, parallel stakes or pegs 16 --having-enlarged spherical portions 17 at their upper ends; "said stakes 16 are preferably formed from sturdy rod stock while spherical portions 17 may be made of wood.

'Each stake is continuous at its lower end with an outwardly extending lower portion, as indicated at 18,

which at its lower end is turned inwardly, as at 19, to provide a base portion 20, said latter being fixedly secured, as at 26, as by welding, at its end to the corresponding 1 ends of the base portions of the other stakes 16 at a point substantially on the vertical axis of said target C. Collar forming,- friction members 21 may be disposed on each base portion 20 to stabilize the target imposition on-a smooth surface, as indoors.

as the stakes are joined only at the base, which latter is stable-and resistant to overturningupon impact of' a missileupon target C.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the ;.game may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and, principle of the present invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim an desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1; In a game of skill for use with a missile having a riangular opening, a target structure for such missiles comprising three upright, equidistant stake members,

mutually spaced apart for-simultaneous embracing by a missile, each stake member being continuous atits lower endwith an outwardly projecting portion, said outwardly projecting portions cooperating to define an outwardly 1 flaring standard, each outwardlyprojecting-portion being 7 turned inwardly at its lower end forminga baseportion substantially axially normal to said stake members, the base portions being secured to each other at a point substantially aligned with the vertical axis of the target structure and spacedly downwardly of said stake memhere.

2. A game of skill for use with a missile having a triangular opening, a target structure having three stake members, said stake members'being vertically presented in their upper portions'and mutually-equidistant, each of said stakes in their lower portionprojecting outwardly to form an'outwardly flaring standard of increasing crosssectionalvarea, and mean sisecuring the lower portions of said stakes together spacedly downwardly of said stakes.

3. A game of 'skillfor-use with *a missile having an opening, a target structure comprising three stake members, said stake members being vertically presented in their upper portions and mutually equidistant for simultaneousengagement by said missile, outwardly projecting standard-forming members being connected to each of'said' stake members in their lower, portions for defining an 'outwardlynflaring standard the cross sectional area ofwhich is downwardly increasingly greater than the area between said stake members, and each standardforrning member being secured to the other standarda forming members spacedly below said stake members.

4. Ina game of skill for use with a missile having :a

conrrising three u right stake members mutuall s aced aparbfor' simultaneous embracing bysaid missile,- outwardly inclined standard forming elements continuous with each stake member to definean outwardly flaring standard the cross-sectional area ofwhich is ldownwardly increasingly -greater than the cross sectionalarea defined byrsaid stake members, said standardformingelements engaging a support'surfaceispacedly below saidstake members. I

5. A-target structure as described in claim 4. and further -characterized by eachstandard forming element .being V shaped having apair-ofdiverginglegs with theirupper,

apex-forming ends continuous with the lower end of the related stake member, .each legoi each. standard forming'element being continuousat its lower end,

.spacedly downwardly of saidstake members-with the lower end of a legof the adjacent-standard forming ele- 

